# Dennis Miller..give me a fricking break **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 2, 2003, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879 "2003-07-02T22:24:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/41 "2003-07-03T23:34:39Z")
Dennis Miller started to lose his funny even when he was still on _Saturday Night Live._ The only good “Weekend Update” segment he ever did was the first time he did Point/Counterpoint with himself (actually Dana Carvey dressed up as Dennis Miller). ---
**Author:** ![cabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c67d28/32.png) [@cabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cabbit)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/42 "2003-07-03T23:40:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Artemius \* > \*\*Geez, he’s a comedian for chrissakes. He’s harmless. How come you don’t criticize Leno for all his jokes about everything from A-Z, including the French? How come you’re not on your soapbox denouncing, say, all the black comics that trash white folks on a routine basis? SNL does some pretty slam-dunk parodies as well. Should they go off the air? \*\* I didn’t criticize Leno because I don’t watch him, I was surfing and caught Dennis Millers appearance. As for the other examples that you mention, are you saying that I can’t express an opinion about Dennis Miller without also addressing every other performer as well? I’m commenting on Dennis Miller. I saw the routine that I quoted, and it made an impression on me. I explained what that impression was, and stated my opinion of him. I didn’t say that I thought that anyone should “go off the air”, because I’m not very interested in calling for that kind of thing. I don’t agree with what he did, I won’t buy his CDs or DVDs, and I will speak to others about what I consider to be his hate mongering actions. He is obviously free to continue his schtick, and I have no intention of suddenly becoming an advocate of forcible censorship. That doesn’t change my opinion of what I saw. ---
**Author:** ![Artemius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Artemius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemius)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/43 "2003-07-04T02:37:26Z")
O.K. I see your position and no slight intended. I guess I just don’t understand this thread. I see so many comedians slam-dunking everyone and everthing under the son that I find it curious this Dennis Miller fixation. Personally, I find him funny about 60-40. Mainly because he references people/instances I am not familiar with. How he can memorize that schtick impresses me. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/44 "2003-07-04T05:08:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by MaxTheVool \* > \*\* > Similarly, comparing someone who took a principled stance opposed to the war to Neville Chamberlain is about as relevant, fair and funny as pointing out that Bush is not particularl pro-gay-rights… and neither was Hitler!!!_\* I read Miller’s comments about how war protestors = Neville Chamberlain and wonder how he got this reputation as intelligent. Knowing big words and being well read isn’t enough to make someone smart. And if this is what passes for wit… ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/45 "2003-07-04T05:16:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wolf\_meister \* > \*\*I find it odd that Dennis Miller always liked to skewer the right-wing Bible belt mentality and now he seems to be a champion for the conservative cause. \*\* There are many different kinds of conservatives, **wolf\_meister**. Your Wall Street conservative and your Bible Belt conservative are going to have differences on many topics. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Frink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Mr.Frink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Frink)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/46 "2003-07-04T06:36:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > \*\*Of COURSE Dennis Miller is an asshole! He disagrees with you! The modus operandi of the left is to HATE everyone who doesn’t agree with them. \*\* Thanks for providing such a great example of the “modus operandi” of the right. Which is to turn a valid criticism into a cartoonish generalisation. The fact that we _dare_ criticize Miller for shedding all of his objectivity means we HATE him! I love it! What a typical right-wing debating style. It’s just like Ann Coultier charging Democrats with “Treason” because they stepped out of line & disagreed with Bush’s Iraq policy! (This is, of course, from the woman who devotes a chapter in her new book to holding Senator Joe Mcarthy up as a “great patriot”!) Dennis Miller has completely shredded his credibility by openly appearing as a Bush lackey. He’s suddenly become this generation’s version of Bob Hope. I’m sure that the grandparents will love him, but he’s completely lost an entire generation of fans. As a comedian who built his reputation on taking shots at the “establishment”, he’s now become the “official” comedian of the Republican Party. I can’t see how this will help his career at all–unless he’s shooting for a “court jester” position… ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/47 "2003-07-04T08:20:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Frink \* > **I’m sure that the grandparents will love him, but he’s completely lost an entire generation of fans.** Think again. Even among the 18-30 set, at least 40% call themselves “conservative” in politlcal outlook. ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/48 "2003-07-04T10:26:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > \*\*Of COURSE Dennis Miller is an asshole! He disagrees with you! The modus operandi of the left is to HATE everyone who doesn’t agree with them. \*\* No, if you ask me,the modus operandi of the left, at least lately, is to not take seriously anyone who disagrees with them. This is why the Democratic Party is no longer in charge of either Congress _or_ the White House, IMHO. Its most vociferous champions have somehow confused mocking the Religious Right with having a meaningful position of their own. But did anyone see this in the story linked to in the OP? This is a quote from Prez Bush: > [@](#): > > **"Like me, he married above himself. It may not be all that hard, in his case. But I’m proud to have his help."** Now, _that’s_ funnier than any of Miller’s jokes quoted in the article! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/49 "2003-07-04T15:17:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Mace \* > \*\*In fact, I would **love** to see a news analysis program like Firing Line hosted by those two guys. They wouldn’t let any guest BS his way through an argument, and they’d remind us all not to take ourselves too seriously. Both of these guys are smart, quick, and witty. > > Form the left, I’m Bill Maher. And from the right, I’m Dennis Miller. \*\* Well said, I’m in the same boat. Except…did you ever see Bill Maher’s new show when Miller was a guest? I was disappointed – all Dennis did was sit back and make snide remarks, and an occasional “inside” remark about show biz. No real debate. Actually, I like Miller because of the way he always _bitches at the audience_ when a joke of his bombs. And since he’s such a BAD comic, he’s _always_ bitching at the audience! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![skin2skin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@skin2skin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skin2skin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/50 "2003-07-04T15:30:51Z")
I always viewed Miller more as a libertarian, which isn’t really that far off from being a conservative, on a lot of issues. I liked his HBO show because he made fun of anyone who deseved it. Much the same reason that I love Howard Stern. He’s not afraid to knock someone for their actions, irregardless of party affliation. I will be disappointed in Miller, though, if he only attacks one side now. That is why I have no respect for the limbaughs, coulters, etc… ---
**Author:** ![skin2skin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@skin2skin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skin2skin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/51 "2003-07-04T15:30:55Z")
I always viewed Miller more as a libertarian, which isn’t really that far off from being a conservative, on a lot of issues. I liked his HBO show because he made fun of anyone who deseved it. Much the same reason that I love Howard Stern. He’s not afraid to knock someone for their actions, irregardless of party affiliation. I will be disappointed in Miller, though, if he only attacks one side now. That is why I have no respect for the limbaughs, coulters, etc… ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/52 "2003-07-04T15:35:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by skin2skin \* > **irregardless of party affiliation** 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/53 "2003-07-04T16:42:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Mr. Frink > I’m sure that the grandparents will love him, but he’s completely lost an entire generation of fans. Even the old hipsters with decidedly liberal points of view? You just stereotyped a couple of generations. ---
**Author:** ![skin2skin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@skin2skin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skin2skin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/54 "2003-07-05T17:14:40Z")
WALOON: **"irregardless of party affiliation"** You seem to have a problem with this term. Let me break it down for you, so that you know where I’m coming from. “Irregardless” - same as the word ‘regardless’, which means, “in spite of everything” “Of” - belonging or connected to. “Party” - Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, etc… “Affiliation” - to associate with. So what it comes down to is: He will knock anyone, despite who they are connected with. I’m not sure if you thought that I misspelled a word or you truly didn’t know what I was trying to say. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/55 "2003-07-05T17:33:48Z")
Sorry, but “irregardless” is the opposite of “regardless”. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/56 "2003-07-05T17:49:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cabbit \* > \*\*Here’s a quote from Dennis Millers rant on the Tonight Show: > > "You know something, if they couldn’t – I say we invade Iraq and then invade Chirac. You run a pipe – you run a pipe from the oil field right over this Eiffel Tower, shoot it up and have the world’s biggest oil derrick. We got a picture of it right here. Yeah. Listen, I would call the French scum bags, but that, of course, would be a disservice to bags filled with scum. > > \ > [Here’s](http://members.tripod.com/~tcotrel/rant.html) a link to a transcript of the rant, there are a ton of links out there on this, I just picked one at random. > > I saw this bit when it first aired, and I found his little stream of consciousness Merry Racist routine pretty disturbing. That night killed any respect that I might have had for him, I believe that he was just latching onto an issue that he thought would get him attention. > > I understand that offensive humour can be a safety valve, but he did this at a time when there was a great deal of palpable hatred directed at all French people, and I found it jarring and opportunistic. In my opinion, he’s nothing more than a hate monger. He didn’t direct anger or ridicule against the French Government, or the people in power…he included all of the French. \*\* When the hell did “French” become a “race”? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/57 "2003-07-05T17:49:26Z")
Nope. “Irregardless” isn’t even a word. But those who seem to think it is, believe that it’s [synonymous with “regardless”](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=irregardless) instead of being opposite, which the prefix “ir-” typically indicates. Or am I confusing it with “inflammable”? ---
**Author:** ![McJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@McJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McJohn)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/58 "2003-07-05T17:51:33Z")
My American Heritage Dictionary lists “irregardless” as a synonym for “regardless”, but suggests that it is a nonstandard variant whose use should be confined to deliberate attempts at humor… [Looking around.] Um. Off topic, sorry. I’ll get out of the way and let you guys get back to it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/59 "2003-07-05T19:55:27Z")
> [@](#): > > “Irregardless” - same as the word ‘regardless’, which means, “in spite of everything” The prefix “Ir-” and the suffix “-less” both mean “without”. This makes “irregardless” a double-negative, or essentially meaningless, except perhaps as a barometer of the intelligence of the person who uses it. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879/60 "2003-07-05T20:02:32Z")
A sarcastic **Miller** from California . . . Say, your first name isn’t. . . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dennis-miller-give-me-a-fricking-break/185879.md?page=4)